It is a good read, I must say. Lots of new details. I also am interested in The Mick's coaching experience in 1968 and 1969.

More appropriate to this time if year would be "All My Octobers." Sort of supports the premise that despite all his post season HRs, his performance in October, when he showed up, was not all that good.

I also suggest that his stats for 1962 be examined. Retrosheet is a good source. Not sure how he won the MVP, but he did, only playing 122 games. His award will be reviewed when Hamilton wins this year's version, though I believe that Cano deserves it, since he played the entire season. My argument would be how valuable to the team could you have been, if they win without you.

I know I have an unnatural man-love for Mickey.... but I think a lot of people do. More then 40 years after I last saw him play, I still think... what if? What if he hadn't been injured his first year. What if he hadn't been such a heavy drinker. What if he had even attempted to take care of himself. What if he had understood his legacy.

How can you have a serious injury your rookie year, be a raging alchoholic, do absolutely nothing to take care of your health, take your baseball career for granted.... and still be one of the top 10 players of all time?

What if......
The man was absolutely the most talented player in the history of the game.
No one can convince me otherwise.

I guess in every generation there is that player or players who are so off the chain they spark hyperbole at the mere mention of their name. But I can't think of one player who wasn't alternately saddled with some limitation that you perceive has kept or will keep them from achieving the ultimate achievements in their respective sports. Be it circumstance, accident self-inflicted or being targeted, the records they set are somehow never quite unattainable.